Wild Indigo Nature Explorer

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Audubon Great Lakes’ Wild Indigo Nature Explorations program is dedicated to engaging a broad diversity of communities to create meaningful conservation solutions that work for birds, nature, and people. Chicago Wild Indigo Nature Explorations is a community engagement program to build lasting relationships between urban communities of color and their local natural areas. Working in Chicago’s Southside, Wild Indigo will build community appreciation of wetland ecology and support for their restoration along Big Marsh, Deadstick, and Marian R. Byrnes. The project aims to demonstrate the connection between healthy natural habitats and healthy urban communities via activities that familiarize teens with nature and wildlife that share the spaces where they live and play. This project will develop a series of events to foster a deeper connection to wildlife along Chicago’s green spaces via community science, outdoor recreation, and stewardship. With community partners, Audubon’s Wild Indigo program will develop a cohort of ambassadors who will be informed advocates for healthy watersheds in the region.

This is a seasonal 8-week grant‐funded position.

The Wild Indigo Explorer will work with the Chicago Wild Indigo Coordinator to implement Nature Exploration efforts in several of Chicago’s natural spaces. The goal of the Explorers is to teach them how to become nature interpreters and allow them to engage with nature in new ways, with themes focused on several ideas around environmental advocacy. The Explorers will then take what they have learned and continue engaging with their local natural areas and surrounding communities by completing several stewardship projects and developing a video documentation platform.

Compensation:

$15.40 / hour

• Learn about local wetland ecology and water quality issues
• Learn about the healing properties of local native and invasive plants
• Learn about bird anatomy, migration patterns, and basics of bird facts and identification
• Learn about environmental justice and how to get and stay involved
• Participate in local community science projects based in Big Marsh, Deadstick, and Marian R. Byrnes
• Document program experiences bi-weekly
• Develop a video documentation platform to share with Audubon Great Lakes on social media platforms
• Complete a minimum of 40 stewardship hours during the ten weeks in Big Marsh, Deadstick, and Marian R. Byrnes
• Complete a minimum of 40 community science hours during the ten weeks in Big Marsh, Deadstick, and Marian R. Byrnes
• Develop and implement a team-oriented final project
• Use Merlin, Literati, I-Naturalist, Seek, BirdNet, and Motus Wild Life Tracking to document community science projects
• Build relationships with local environmental professionals to strengthen future stewardship opportunities
• Complete three evaluations (pre, mid, and post) to assist with documentation of experience
• Complete 12 hours a week

• Must be 14 to 20 years of age
• Must be willing to explore nature outdoors
• Must be willing to work with other young people
• Must have interest in completing stewardship efforts
• Must be able to organize and complete daily logs
• Work permits may be required for candidates under 18 years of age as a condition of employment.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.